Here are my top recommended waiver wire and streaming targets ahead of the coming week. Waiver Wire targets are designed to be multi-week roster-worthy options while streaming options are designed to be one-week lineup options based on matchup, injuries, and/or situation. To be eligible as a waiver wire target, streaming option, or stash, the player must be available in over 60% of Yahoo leagues.
See If They're Available:
There are always a few players that don't technically make the cut here as a waiver wire option as they're available in under 60% of leagues, but these players should be on a roster. If they're not on a roster yet, they should be a higher priority than those listed as waiver wire targets below.
Quentin Johnston (WR - Los Angeles Chargers)
It wasn't a pretty game, especially in the volume department (2 targets), but Quentin Johnston continues to be the only receiver on the Chargers getting high-value targets in his 2-44-1 (12.4 points) performance this past week. That brings him to 10 catches for 133 yards and 3 TDs on the season as the Chargers' emerging WR1.
Chuba Hubbard (RB - Carolina Panthers)
That's back-to-back 14+ touch (and 11+ point) games for Hubbard - the big difference being the efficiency of the Panthers' offense with Andy Dalton under center this week, allowing Hubbard to go wild with 169 yards and a TD against the Raiders. He's the undisputed RB1 in Carolina until Jonathon Brooks comes off the PUP list in the coming weeks, especially since we're seeing a role more comparable to his 2023 self where he was 9th and 11th in the NFL in carries and touches respectively. Hubbard's owned in half of fantasy leagues, but make sure he's not hidden on your waiver wire as he can be a FLEX-able option with Dalton at QB.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR - Tennessee Titans)
Hopkins has been severely limited in the opening weeks of the 2024 season by a knee injury suffered in the offseason, drawing just 3 targets and a 35.4% snap share across the first two weeks. We did see a bit more of a traditional role for Hopkins in Week 3 with 7 targets and a 6-73-1 stat line, even despite him receiving a 45% snap share on the week. He's owned in about 56% of leagues but should be stashed at the very least given the potential of this offense and his proven production over the last several years, regardless of QB play.
Top Waiver Wire Targets of the Week:
These are your players to target on waivers this week - these aren't typically supposed to be a one-week solution but rather a longer-term answer for your team.
Jauan Jennings (WR - San Francisco 49ers)
Wow! What more can be said about Jennings' statement game this past week, taking full advantage of WR Deebo Samuel being sidelined - 12 targets, 11 catches, 175 yards, 3 TDs, and FOURTY-SIX fantasy points. With Deebo sidelined for the next few weeks and Brandon Aiyuk drawing the primary defensive coverage, there's no reason to believe Jennings shouldn't be a weekly WR2/FLEX option until Samuel returns. He's easily the top waiver priority this week.
Bucky Irving (RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The talks entering the season from the Bucs' coaching staff echoed that Rachaad White's inefficient production on the ground last year was on a short leash. Through three weeks, White has averaged 2.1 YPC and has not exceeded 3.0 YPC in any game. Meanwhile, Bucky Irving has seen steady involvement on the ground, has averaged 6.2 YPC, and has out-produced White on the ground in each game despite a lesser volume. It's already turned into a 1A-1B situation in Tampa, but it will likely turn into a 1A-1B with Irving as the leading runner in the coming weeks, especially if these efficiency trends continue.
Wan'Dale Robinson (WR - New York Giants)
To everyone's surprise, Wan'Dale Robinson has opened up the season with 10+ points in each of his first three games, including 6+ catches and 8+ targets in two of those three games. With New York very likely to continue to play with pass-friendly game scripts throughout the majority of the season, Robinson has established himself as a PPR-friendly option as Daniel Jones' definitive second option. I wouldn't prefer to have him in my starting lineup, but his production and volume have made him a player who undoubtedly should be rostered.
Darnell Mooney (WR - Atlanta Falcons)
Mooney has very quickly established himself as Kirk Cousins' number 2 target beyond Drake London, drawing 15 targets over the last two weeks, which he converted into 11 catches, 154 yards, 1 TD, and back-to-back 14+ point performances. It looks like Mooney has carved out a significant volume-oriented role, especially with his involvement in scripted targets around the line of scrimmage, which pushes him to the bubble of being startable in most leagues, but at the very least his production/involvement so far and big-play ability should earn him a roster spot in fantasy leagues.
Braelon Allen (RB - New York Jets)
We're starting to see what the pre-draft scouting process told us: Braelon Allen is a gifted RB. He's been fantastic in the limited action he's had as a rookie, posting 5.1 YPC through the first three games of his career, and his role has increased each week. Granted, we likely won't see him draw the 14+ touches he got this past week very often (due to game scripts), but Allen is showing to be a quality bench RB for fantasy. Also an FYI, should Breece Hall go down to injury, Allen would immediately become a top-10 option at the position.
Cole Kmet (TE - Chicago Bears)
Samaje Perine (RB - Kansas City Chiefs)
Jakobi Meyers (WR - Las Vegas Raiders)
Allen Lazard (WR - New York Jets)
Jahan Dotson (WR - Philadelphia Eagles)
Top Streaming Options of the Week:
These aren't the same as waiver wire targets. Yes, you are still getting these players off waivers, but these are purely the best options for this week and this week only. Players can be a streaming option and a waiver wire target, which means they're a solid option to play this upcoming week and potentially beyond.
Quarterbacks:
Deshaun Watson (at LV)
Justin Fields (at IND)
Sam Darnold (at GB)
Runningbacks:
Samaje Perine (at LAC)
Bucky Irving (vs PHI)
Braelon Allen (at DEN)
Wide Receivers:
Jauan Jennings (vs NE)
Jahan Dotson (at TB) - If AJ Brown & DeVonta Smith are inactive
Wan'Dale Robinson (vs DAL)
Tight Ends:
Cole Kmet (vs LAR)
Zach Ertz (at ARI)
Mike Gesicki (at CAR)
Defense/Special Teams:
Tennessee Titans (at MIA)
Los Angeles Rams (at CHI)
Detroit Lions (vs SEA)
Top Stashes Ahead of Next Week:
These aren't players that you should be playing this week, but rather ones that have greater potential to be a solid option and likely end up being a waiver wire target sometime down the line. You won't see immediate value but these are the guys that possibly could go under the radar and see a notable role shortly.
Kareem Hunt (RB - Kansas City Chiefs)
Xavier Legette (WR - Carolina Panthers)
Tyler Badie (RB - Denver Broncos)
Ricky Pearsall (WR - San Francisco 49ers)
Roman Wilson (WR - Pittsburgh Steelers)
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